Source: Syracuse University football team's chances of adding Iowa transfer are "favorable"

Syracuse, NY -- A source close to the Syracuse University football team confirmed this morning that former Iowa defensive end John Raymon has contacted the school to express interest in transferring. The source said the situation is “favorable” but that reports published earlier this week by recruiting services stating Raymon is definitely transferring to SU were premature. The source said there are still compliance issues to be ironed out before Raymon’s transfer becomes official. That could come as early as Monday, according to another source close to the program.

Raymon (6-foot-5, 240 pounds) played his high school ball at Council Rock North in Richboro, Pa., in Bucks County, a northeast suburb of Philadelphia. Despite being limited to only three games his senior season (2010) he was named to Tom Lemming’s Prep Football All-American team as a senior. He recorded 28 tackles in the three contests. Rivals and Scout rated him as a three-star prospect, with Rivals listing him as the 36th best strong-side defensive end in the class and Scout designating him a top-80 defensive end overall.

Raymon chose Iowa among offers from Illinois, Maryland, West Virginia, Purdue and North Carolina State. Iowa recruiters believed the injury kept the player relatively under wraps, pointing to his nearly 7-foot wingspan and 36-inch vertical leap as hints of potential stardom. That noted, Raymon was reportedly unhappy and homesick as soon as he arrived on campus. Coaches persuaded him to stick it out his freshman season, but afterward he again requested to transfer closer to home. Faced with significant losses up front to graduation and seeing Raymon’s potential, the staff reportedly really wanted him to stay but finally relented.

When word of Raymon’s release was initially reported on Iowa’s website he said he was considering West Virginia, Pittsburgh and N.C. State as potential destinations. Somehow the Orange got his attention, perhaps because of its need at the position. Starter Mikhail Marinovich graduated following last season, and junior Chandler Jones decided to enter the NFL draft a year early, going to the New England Patriots in the first round. With sophomore Micah Robinson sitting out spring ball following off-season shoulder surgery the team played its annual spring game with only three defensive ends on the roster.

The SU staff tried to address the situation by signing three defensive ends in February, among them junior-college All-American Markus Pierce-Brewster. Pierce-Brewster is a weakside end in SU’s system. The addition of Raymon at the strong-side spot should his transfer become official, would be significant, although NCAA transfer rules would force him to sit out this season and then have three years of eligibility left.

However, there have been reports that Raymon will seek a waiver from the NCAA to forgo the probation and play immediately. Such waivers are hard to obtain, though, and his basis for seeking one is unknown at this point.